Stalking the Unicorn: A Fable of Tonight Read Online Free PDF Page A

platform.
    "Never fails,” remarked Mallory, tossing the cigarette to the floor and stepping on it.
    The doors slid open and they got into the subway car, the first in a line of four. Instead of the usual rows of worn-out and uncomfortable seats that Mallory was used to, the surprisingly clean interior of the car consisted of half a dozen curving leather booths. The floor was covered by a carpet of intricate design, and crushed velvet paper lined the walls.
    "We get a better class of service on the Fourth Avenue line,” commented Mürgenstürm, observing the detective's reaction.
    "You don't seem to get any customers, though,” replied Mallory.
    "I'm sure the others are in the diner."
    "There's a diner car?” asked Mallory, surprised.
    Mürgenstürm nodded. “And a cocktail lounge as well."
    "Then what are we waiting for?” said Mallory, getting to his feet.
    "I need you sober,” said the elf.
    "If I was sober, you'd vanish into thin air and I'd be back in my office."
    "I wish you'd stop saying that,” complained Mürgenstürm. “Pretty soon you'll convince yourself it's the truth."
    "So what?"
    "So when we face certain dangers, you won't believe in them and won't take the proper precautions."
    "What dangers?” demanded Mallory.
    "If I knew, I'd be more than happy to tell you."
    "Take a guess."
    The elf shrugged. “I really have no idea. I just have a feeling that when we close in on Larkspur, whoever stole him is not going to be very happy about it."
    "Larkspur?"
    "That's the unicorn's name."
    "What the hell were you doing with a unicorn that wasn't yours in the first place?” asked Mallory.
    "Protecting him."
    "Against what?"
    "Against whoever wanted to steal him."
    "Why would anyone want to steal a unicorn?"
    "Greed, villainy, an unreasoning hatred of myself—who knows?"
    "You're not being very helpful,” said Mallory.
    "If I knew all the answers, I wouldn't need a detective, would I?” demanded Mürgenstürm irritably.
    "All right,” said Mallory. “Let's try a different approach. Who owns the unicorn?"
    "Very good, John Justin!” said Mürgenstürm enthusiastically. “That's a much better question."
    "Then answer it."
    "I can't."
    "You don't know who owns the unicorn?"
    "That's right."
    "Then how do you know he'll kill you if you don't get it back by sunrise?"
    "Oh, he won't kill me,” said Mürgenstürm. “He won't get the chance."
    "Then who will?"
    "My guild."
    "Your guild?"
    The little elf nodded. “We guard valuable possessions—precious stones, illuminated manuscripts, that sort of thing—and our lives are forfeit if we fail in our duties.” He grimaced. “That's why I had to hire you. I couldn't very well go to my guild and tell them what happened. They would have cut me to pieces."
    "When was the unicorn stolen?"
    "About noon. This was the first unicorn I'd ever been entrusted with. I thought it would be safe to leave it alone for a few minutes."
    "Where did you go off to?” asked Mallory.
    Mürgenstürm blushed a dark green. “I'd really rather not say."
    "So even elves get laid."
    "I beg your pardon!” exploded the elf furiously. “It was a beautiful and deeply moving romantic tryst! I won't have you making it sound cheap and tawdry."
    "What it mostly was was stupid,” commented Mallory wryly. “They wouldn't have paid you to guard the damned animal if they didn't think someone might steal it."
    "That thought has occurred to me,” said Mürgenstürm unhappily.
    "After the fact, no doubt."
    "As I was returning to Larkspur,” admitted the elf.
    "Dumb,” said Mallory.
    "How was I to know?” demanded Mürgenstürm. “Nothing happened the first six times I went off to answer the siren song of romance."
    "Just how long was this unicorn in your charge?” asked Mallory.
    "Not quite five hours."
    "During which time you went off on seven romantic trysts?"
    "I may look unapproachable and formidable,” said the little elf, “but I have needs just like anybody else."
    "You've got needs